Compressible Ecologically Friendly Containers

ABSTRACT

Ecologically friendly containers and methods for recycling such containers are described herein. In a first aspect, the present invention provides ecologically friendly water containers comprising a container body dimensioned to hold a fluid. A spout defining a passage is in fluid communication with the container body such that fluid contained in the container body can pass through the spout. A cap is attached to the container body and dimensioned to cover substantially the spout when the cap is in a sealed state to prevent fluids from passing through the spout, and expose the spout when the cap is in an unsealed state to allow fluids to pass through the spout. The container body is dimensioned to be compressed to a substantially flattened shape.

1 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1.1 Field of the Invention

The present invention provides packaging containers, more specificallybever-age packaging containers (i.e. bottles), that have ecologicallybeneficial properties. More particularly, the present invention providescontainers that can be returned and recycled easily and used to createclean energy to make more containers. In some embodiments, thecontainers of the invention include caps that contain seeds that can beplanted. The invention has applications in the fields of packaging,packaging containers, ecology, commerce, and recycling.

1.2 The Related Art

The 1967 invention of the plastic soda bottle not only revolutionizedthe bev-erage industry but also the consumer goods packaging industry asa whole. Today, almost all of the packaging containers we come intocontact with on a daily basis are a direct descendant of that oneinvention and are made using some sort of plastic or petrochemicalderived polymer. The latest offspring is the ubiquitous single serve orsingle use plastic bottle or container.

In recent years, recycling programs have started in many places but thereality is that only a very small percentage of the bottles that can berecycled ever get recycled. This has consequently created the biggestenvironmental problem facing the world today-trash. Landfills arefilling up quicker than we can make them so we are now actuallyexporting much of our trash to developing countries for them to dealwith it.

The net result of all of this is environmental pollution. Rivers getclogged with plastic waste that eventually flows into the sea. Our oncepristine oceans are now filled with tiny remnants of our quest forconvenience and ease of use. Discarded bottles and containers are nowdriven together by currents into giant swirling vortexes of toxic wastechoking ocean wildlife. The largest of which is known as the “GreatPacific Garbage Patch”. Already the size of Texas and growing, it wasfirst identified in 2007 and is increasing at an alarming rate.

Just as the arrival of the first plastic bottles in 1967 had arisen tofulfill a need, there is now an awakening that has led many of us tobegin to re-evaluate old systems and materials in a quest to create thesystems and packaging/containers of the future. Learning from pastmistakes, we are creating solutions that provide the very sameconvenience yet are not harmful to us while we use them or harmful tothe environment once we discard them.

One sector that did not exist in 1967 yet arose to be significantlybigger than bottle sodas is the bottled water industry. As access toclean water has become increasingly more difficult demand for bottledwater has risen and the rate of new brands appearing on shelves explodedin the last 15 years. What was once enjoyed straight out of faucets forpennies a gallon is now a multi-billion dollar global enter-prise.Truthfully, it has made clean drinking water available in many placeswhere that has not always been the case but only for those who canafford it. The empty bottles are a huge problem for our planet. Keep inmind that here in the US, less than 30% of the bottles that could berecycled actually are. Now think about the nations around the world whohave no recycling systems at all and you can start to get a sense of thescope of this problem. We have opened Pandora's box now and there is nogoing back. People are not going to stop drinking water and corporationsare not going to stop providing it so if we want to stem the flow ofwaste into our oceans, we need to come up with a new way of meetingthose needs. Although our plan is to eventually expand into many kindsof packaged consumer products, we have identified single use bottledwater as the poster child for this environmental issue and intend to useit as an opportunity to educate people and provide them with a betterchoice.

As will become apparent upon reading the following disclosure andaccompanying figures, the present invention addresses the bottled waterpackaging problem and lays the groundwork in creating systems for otherconsumer goods containers. The present invention will therefore changethe way people think about “disposable” items by encouraging them tomake choices that better serve our planet. By having the capability tobe built upon existing infrastructure, thereby encouraging maxi-mumadoption by the public, the present invention provides a system thatallows consumers to return bottles after they have been used. Thus, thepresent invention enables the assumption of product responsibilitythroughout the entire lifecycle to avoid contributing overall toenvironmental pollution. In accordance with the description herein, itwill be understood that, among other features and advantages, theinvention enables the return of plant-based bottles by mail forconversion into clean, sustainable energy that, in turn, can be used toproduce a new batch of bottles. As an extra precaution, the bottles canbe non-GMO plant-based, biodegradable, and safe for the environment.Convenience without a trace.

2 SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides bottled water that addresses the needsdescribed above. In a first aspect the present invention providesecologically friendly water containers. Among the examples of a firstembodiment of such containers are containers comprising a container bodydimensioned to hold a fluid. A spout defining a passage is in fluidcommunication with the container body such that fluid contained in thecontainer body can pass through the spout. A cap is attached to thecontainer body and dimensioned to cover substantially the spout when thecap is in a sealed state to prevent fluids from passing through thespout, and expose the spout when the cap is in an unsealed state toallow fluids to pass through the spout. The container body isdimensioned to be compressed to a substantially flattened shape.

Among more detailed examples the first embodiment are those in which thecontainer assumes a substantially flat condition when the container iscompressed. Still more detailed examples are those in which a labelaffixed to the container body. In yet more detailed examples, themailing label includes an outer layer and an inner layer, the outerlayer being removable from the inner layer to expose the inner layer. Instill more detailed examples, the inner layer of the mailing labelincludes information for mailing the container. In still other moredetailed examples, the container body is made from a biodegradablematerial. In some of these embodiments, the biodegradable material is adextrose-based polymer. Among those embodiment are more detailedembodiments in which the biodegradable material is a polylactidepolymer. In still more detailed embodiments, the container body isdimensioned to be compressed to a format substantially suitable formailing the container when the container is compressed and the innerlayer is exposed.

Referring back to those examples of the first embodiment in which thecontainer assumes a substantially flat condition are those in which thecontainer body is made from a biodegradable material. In some of theseembodiments, the biodegradable material is a dextrose-based polymer.Among those embodiment are more detailed embodiments in which thebiodegradable material is a polylactide polymer. In still more detailedembodiments, the container body is dimensioned to be compressed to aformat substantially suitable for mailing the container when thecontainer is compressed and the inner layer is exposed.

In other examples of the first embodiment, the container includes a capand the cap includes a seed located the cap. In more specificembodiments, the cap includes a seed chamber, and the seed is locatedwithin the seed chamber.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides ecologically friendlymethods for recycling containers. A first set of exemplary embodimentscomprise obtaining a container that includes a container bodydimensioned to hold a fluid, a spout defining a passage in fluidcommunication with the container body such that fluid contained in thecontainer body can pass through the spout, and a cap attached to thecontainer body. The cap dimensioned to cover substantially the spoutwhen the cap is in a sealed state to prevent fluids from passing throughthe spout, and expose the spout when the cap is in an unsealed state toallow fluids to pass through the spout; and the container body beingconfigured to be compressed to a substantially flattened shape. Thecontainer is compressed to a substantially flattened shape. Thecontainer is sent. In some embodiments, the used container is sent to afacility that turns the container into a syngas for generating energy,such as electrical energy, to create energy to make more containers withthe waste product being used for fertilizer.

In more detailed embodiments, the sending includes sending the containerin the substantially flattened shape. In still more detailedembodiments, the label comprises an outer layer affixed to an innerlayer, the outer layer being removable from the inner layer to exposethe inner layer, the inner layer including a mailing label; and themethod includes removing the outer layer to expose the inner layer. Ineither of the forgoing embodiments, the container is sent by mail.

Still more aspect and advantages of the present invention will becomemore apparent when the following Detailed Description in read inconjunction with the accompanying Drawings.

3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein withreference to the following drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A-1D show various views of one embodiment of a container providedby the invention: FIG. 1A is a three-quarter view; FIG. 1B is a frontview; FIG. 1C is a side view; and FIG. 1D is an opposing side view.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are top- and bottom views of one embodiment of acontainer of the invention. FIG. 2A is a top view of an illustratedembodiment. FIG. 2B is a bottom view of an illustrated embodiment.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are illustrations of embodiments of the inventionincluding labels. FIG. 3A shows a mailing label on a container of theinvention. FIG. 3B illustrates removing an outer layer to expose aninner layer of a label.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate compressing a container of the inventionaccording to an embodiment thereof. FIG. 4A shows a container just priorto compression.

FIG. 4B shows the same container following compression.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a seed-containing cap according to oneembodiment of the invention. FIG. 5A illustrates opening a cap to exposea seed chamber.

FIG. 5B illustrates the opened seed chamber of the cap.

4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides novel containers and methods forrecycling those containers that reduce the ecological burden of liquidcontainers, especially water bottles, while maintaining the convenienceof their use.

FIG. 1A through FIG. 1D show various views of a container for liquid(100), such as water, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. Container 100 includes a body (102) having an upper inwardlysloping shoulder portion (104), and central portion (103), and a lowerinwardly sloping shoulder portion (105). As will be explained in greaterdetail below, in some embodiments container body 102 can be compressedalong an imaginary plane of symmetry intersecting body 102 along a lineextending along upper portion 104 (106 a)), though inflection point 106b, down central portion 103 (106 c), and lower portion 105 (not shown),defines a transition of container 102 into two faces or sides. (Acomplimentary seam or edge extends correspondingly downwardly along theopposing side of body 102, such as shown at 106 a′.) In someembodiments, the line of intersection is not visible; in otherembodiments, the line of intersection is defined by a line, edge, ridge,inflection of curvature, or other detectable element on body 102.

A cap assembly 108 includes a collar 112, lid 116, and strap 120connecting collar 112 and lid 116. In some embodiments, collar 112 iscylindrical and hollow to defines a central passage through which fluidin body 102 can be introduced or removed, and is fastened to body 102 byengaging means on the interior surface of collar 112 (not shown), e.g.,in a locking fashion, such as a luer lock, to sealably connect thecollar and body of the container. In other embodiments, collar 112 iscylindrical and hollow having screw threads along the interior surfacedimensioned to engage sealingly with complimentary screw threads ormeans on a neck extending upwardly from upper shoulder portion 104 tosecure thereby cap assembly 108 to body 102. In other embodiments,collar 112 can include means to engage securably the collar, and therebythe cap assembly, to the upper shoulder portion of the container. Manyvarious and suitable means and techniques for securably engaging orattaching collar 112 will be apparent to those having ordinary skill inthe art.

In still other embodiments, collar 112 includes an upper surfaceengaging lid 116 having centrally located stem extending upwardlytherefrom through which fluids from body 102 can pass. In more specificembodiments, the stem is dimensioned to be taken into the mouth forconsumption of fluids. In other more specific embodiments, the stem ispart of a valve structure that can be moved from a closed position,blocking fluid passage, and an open position allowing fluid passage.Many various and suitable means and techniques for providing suchstructures will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art.

Lid 106 can be reversibly engagably attached to collar 112 by means ofsnap connection in which lid 106 engages reversibly with collar 112 andcan be moved between open and closed positions to allow or prevent thepassage of fluids to or from the container. In the illustratedembodiment, lid 116 is in a closed position, which prevents theintroduction to, or removal of, the fluid in body 102. In the openposition, lid 116 is moved away from collar 112 to allow passage offluids to and from the body or to expose a stem or similar device suchas described above. Still other various and suitable means andtechniques for securably engaging or attaching the lid will be apparentto those having ordinary skill in the art.

Strap 120 is arranged and dimensioned to keep lid 116 connected withcollar 112 when the lid is in the open position. The strap can be of anymaterial, any shape, and any sized suitable to provide a tether betweenthe lid and the collar. Many various and suitable means and techniquesfor securably engaging or attaching the lid to the collar will beapparent to those having ordinary skill in the art.

Container body 102 further includes a front panel 124. In someembodiments, the front panel comprises a label, such as a product logoor trademark, or as described hereinbelow. FIG. 1B shows panel 124 infront view, along with the aforementioned elements.

FIG. 1C shows a side view of bottle 100, including the symmetry lines106 a-106 d as described above. The Figure further includes a back panel124′. As described in greater detail below, in some embodiments, onepanel provides a commercial notice of the bottle for consumers seekingthe bottle or related products. For example, in some embodiments thenotice includes information identifying the product and its commercialsource (e.g., by logo or trade mark). In more specific embodiments, thenotice is provided as part of the body, e.g., by embossing the noticeinto the side of the bottle. In other more specific embodiments, thenotice is provided as a label attached to front panel 124 by anadhesive. The provision of such embodiments will be understood by thosehaving ordinary skill in the art, who will also be aware of still othertypes of notices and methods for providing such notices.

In some embodiments, back panel 124′ provides information typical for acontainer, such as, by way of example only and not limitation, a list ofingredients, contact information for the purveyor of the product, safetyinformation, and the like. Such information can be provided as justdescribed for the front panel 124.

In some embodiments, one or both of the front and the back panelinformation in provided in two portions, a first out portion as justdescribed, and a second portion that includes a mailing label configuredto enable the possessor of the bottle to mail the bottle to a receiver.The details of this aspect of the invention are provided hereinbelow(see FIGS. 3A and 3B and accompanying discussion). The provision of suchembodiments will be understood by those having ordinary skill in theart, who will also be aware of still other types of notices and methodsfor providing such notices.

FIG. 1D illustrates the opposing side to the view provided in FIG. 1B,including a line of symmetry 106 a′-106 d′ corresponding to the line 106a-106 d in the latter figure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the top and bottom views, respectively, of anexemplary container of the invention. FIG. 2A illustrates a top view ofthe bottle (200), including the elements described in FIGS. 1A-1D.(Symmetry line section 106 a′ is not shown.) The provision of suchembodiments will be understood by those having ordinary skill in theart.

FIG. 2B illustrates a bottom view of the bottle (250), including thelower shoulder portion 105. (Symmetry lines 106 d and 106 d′ are notshown.) In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom includes a bottomsurface 254 with an upwardly inwardly extending surface 258 to form aconcave region 262. Region 262 includes a nipple 266. (Symmetry linecorresponding to lines 106 a and 106 a′ are not shown.) The provision ofsuch embodiments will be understood by those having ordinary skill inthe art.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a mailing label (FIG. 3A) and a two-portionlabel (FIG. 3B) according to certain embodiments on the invention. FIG.3A shows an exemplary bottle (300)) including a mailing label (302)). Inaddition to the previously described elements (see, FIGS. 1A-1D), themailing label 302 includes an address to which the bottle is to be sent304. The label further includes, in some exemplary embodiments, theappropriate information for pre-paid postage (308), which, as will beappreciated, encourages return of the bottle by post. In otherembodiments, however, no such pre-paid postage is provided. Additionalpostage information, e.g., pertaining to business postage rates andother permits or status indicators, can be provided as shown (312). Theprovision of such embodiments will be understood by those havingordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 3B illustrates an embodiment (350) in a label 365 is provided intwo parts that are separated by the action a hand (360): an outer layer(368) and an inner layer 370. In some embodiments, the outer layerincludes an adhesive on its reverse side 374. Still other embodimentsinclude additional information in addition to an adhesive. The provisionof such embodiments will be understood by those having ordinary skill inthe art.

In some embodiments, inner layer 370 comprises mailing information asdescribed herein above with respect to FIG. 3A. In other embodiments,the label combination just described is provided on panel 124′. In stillother embodiments, the label combination just described is provided onpanel 124′ and the inner layer is mailing information as describedabove. The provision of such embodiments will be understood by thosehaving ordinary skill in the art.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the action of compressing a bottle of theinvention. In one embodiment, shown at 400 in FIG. 4A, left and righthands (410 and 420), grasp the bottle at the top and bottom of thebottle. In FIG. 4B at 450 the hands close as indicated by the arrows,compressing and flattening the bottle.

In some embodiments, the above-described embodiments that include amailing label, including those embodiments using either layered labelsor a single mailing label, are combined with the compression justdescribed so that bottles can be flattened and sent to a receiverthrough the mail. In more specific embodiments, the bottle is emptiedprior to compression. In still more specific embodiments, the bottle issent to a recycling facility. In other more specific embodiments, thebottle is sent to a collection facility.

In some embodiments, the collection facility either recycles the bottleor pro-cesses the bottle as described herein, or transfers the bottle(e.g., as part of a larger shipment of used bottles) to one or morefacilities that recycle or otherwise use the bottle, preferably in anenvironmentally suitable way. In one non-limiting example, the bottle isgasified to form a syngas for use as a combustion fuel (e.g., to makeelec-tricity which can be used to make more bottles), or for furtherprocessing to make hydrocarbons such as propane. The details of syngasformation and it uses will be familiar to those having ordinary skill inthe art. One device suitable is available under the trade name PYROVORE®from DPS Environmental (Kaysville, Utah). After gasification, theremaining ash (about 2%) can be used as fertilizer. Thus, it will beseen that the invention provides a bottle life-cycle that substantiallyeliminates waste bottles.

In a second aspect, illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the presentinvention provides a bottle cap assembly that includes one or more seedsin a special compartment. The seeds can be release from the compartmentfor planting, possibly being watered by water released from a bottledescribed herein, and further wherein the aforementioned bottle iscombined with a seed cap as described hereinbelow.

FIG. 5A at 500 illustrates a seed-containing cap assembly held by hands504 and 508. The cap assembly 520 includes a base 524 having a set ofscrew threads 526 for attaching the base to the neck of a bottle havingcomplimentary threads as is known in the art. Other methods of attachingthe base to a bottle will be familiar to those having ordinary skill inthe art. The cap includes an outer cover 528 that fits over and covers aspout 532 from which liquid can be drawn from a bottle when the capassembly is attached thereto. Some embodiments, such as illustrated inFIG. 5A, include an edge or ridge 534 that can be used to lift the capup to expose the spout 532. In more specific embodiments, the cap ishinged (not shown) so that the spout can be exposed without removing theouter cover completely to avoid losing the outer cover.

At the top of the cap assembly is a chamber 540 dimensioned to extendbetween the top of outer cover 528 and the top of spout 532. Within thechamber are one or more seeds 550. A removable seal 530 on top of outercover 528 covers the chamber to preserve the seeds and can be removed bypulling on a edge as shown at 538. In some embodiments, the seal can beremoved and replaced. In other embodiments, the seal can only be removedonce. The provision of such embodiments, and still other equivalents,will be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art. FIG. 5B at580 shows the cap after removal of the outer cover.

The bottle and cap described herein are made using methods and materialsknown to those having ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments,the materials include a bioplastic, such as a polylactide polymer(“PLA”), such as sold under the trade name INGEO® (NatureWorks, LLC).One example of using PLA to make a bottle is provided in U.S. Pat. No.8,470,421, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety andfor all purposes. The bottles and are filled as known by those havingordinary skill in the art. When the liquid in the bottle is consumed,the bottle's mailing label is exposed and the bottle is compacted andsent by mail.

As those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the closureof lid 116 of cap assembly 108, and the closing of the spout enclosedtherein (see, e.g., spout 532 in FIG. 5A) provides a double seal toprevent any leakage of the bottle's contents during shipping or betweendrinks.

Upon receipt at a recycling facility, the bottle is ground or shredded(usually in a batch of bottles) and heated into a gas that is burned toprovide energy for the manufacture of new bottles. The provision of suchembodiments will be understood by those having ordinary skill in theart. Thus, as will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in theart, the invention provides a tightly closed loop in which bottles areproduced and then recycled to provide energy for new bottle manufacture.This saves fuel sources, such as oil, gas, and coal, that wouldotherwise be used to produce new bottles, and therefore reducessignificantly the carbon footprint of the bottles and caps of theinvention.

5 CONCLUSION

The above description of the embodiments, alternative embodiments, andspecific examples, are given by way of illustration and should not beviewed as limiting. Further, many changes and modifications within thescope of the present embodiments may be made without departing from thespirit thereof, and the present invention includes such changes andmodifications.

1. A container comprising: a container body dimensioned to hold a fluid; a spout defining a passage in fluid communication with said container body such that fluid contained in said container body can pass through said spout; a cap attached to said container body, said cap dimensioned to cover substantially said spout when said cap is in a sealed state to prevent fluids from passing through said spout, and expose said spout when said cap is in an unsealed state to allow fluids to pass through said spout; and said container body is dimensioned to be compressed to a substantially flattened shape.
 2. The container of claim 1, said container being further configured to be compressed to a substantially flat condition when said container is compressed.
 3. The container of claim 2, further comprising a label affixed to said container body.
 4. The container of claim 3, wherein said mailing label includes an outer layer and an inner layer, said outer layer being removable from said inner layer to expose said inner layer.
 5. The container of claim 4, wherein said inner layer of said mailing label includes information for mailing said container.
 6. The container of claim 5, wherein said container body is made from a biodegradable material.
 7. The container of claim 6, wherein said biodegradable material is a dextrose-based polymer.
 8. The container of claim 7, wherein said biodegradable material is a polylactide polymer.
 9. The container of claim 2, wherein said container body is made from a biodegradable material.
 10. The container of claim 9, wherein said biodegradable material is a dextrose-based polymer.
 11. The container of claim 10, wherein said biodegradable material is a polylactide polymer.
 12. The container of claim 11 wherein said container body is dimensioned to be compressed to a format substantially suitable for mailing said container when said container is compressed and said inner layer is exposed.
 13. The container of claim 5 wherein said container body is dimensioned to be compressed to a format substantially suitable for mailing said container when said container is compressed and said inner layer is exposed.
 14. The container of claim 1, wherein said container includes a cap and said cap includes a seed located said cap.
 15. The container of claim 14, wherein said cap includes a seed chamber, and said seed is located within said seed chamber.
 16. A method for recycling a container, comprising: obtaining a container, said container including: a container body dimensioned to hold a fluid; a spout defining a passage in fluid communication with said container body such that fluid contained in said container body can pass through said spout; a cap attached to said container body, said cap dimensioned to cover substantially said spout when said cap is in a sealed state to prevent fluids from passing through said spout, and expose said spout when said cap is in an unsealed state to allow fluids to pass through said spout; and said container body being configured to be compressed to a substantially flattened shape; compressing said container to said substantially flattened shape; and sending said container.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said sending includes sending said container in said substantially flattened shape.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said label comprises an outer layer affixed to an inner layer, said outer layer being removable from said inner layer to expose said inner layer, said inner layer including a mailing label; and said method includes removing said outer layer to expose said inner layer.
 19. The method of claim 18 further including sending said container by mail.
 20. The method of claim 17 further including sending said container by mail.
 21. A method for recycling a container, comprising: receiving a container, said container including: a container body dimensioned to hold a fluid; a spout defining a passage in fluid communication with said container body such that fluid contained in said container body can pass through said spout; a cap attached to said container body, said cap dimensioned to cover substantially said spout when said cap is in a sealed state to prevent fluids from passing through said spout, and expose said spout when said cap is in an unsealed state to allow fluids to pass through said spout; and said container body being dimensioned to be compressed to a substantially flattened shape; said container being in said substantially flattened shape; and recycling said container. 